Pilot licences from abroad likely to face scrutiny here

New Delhi: Getting pilot licences from countries such as the Philippines and Indonesia may be easier but think before you plan to go for one. In the wake of the recent crash of two training aircraft near Manila in the Philippines — in which two Indian trainee pilots were killed — the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) is planning to put under the lens all licences obtained from flying schools there.
The move comes close on the heels of the European Union’s ban on Indonesian carriers flying into the continent, citing safety concerns.
“We are trying to verify the licences obtained from these countries, particularly the Philippines, by pilots currently flying in India. We would like to get them verified by the government concerned,” DGCA head Kanu Gohain told ET.
According to current practice, expat pilot licences are verified by the embassies of the countries concerned.
Now, the DGCA wants to make sure that the flight schools concerned are recognised by their government and they adhere to best training practices. “We make it mandatory for all those getting flying certificates from other countries to be tested by our instructors, before issuing them the licence to fly within the country,” said a senior civil aviation ministry official.
Faced with a severe shortage of pilots, Indian carriers hired over 600 expat pilots over the last two years.
14/07/07 Economic Times